Abnormal ECG

emurm

My gym were running a heart screening today and since I run a good bit and am running DCM I signed up. Had the ECG and met with the cardiologist who wanted me to have an ECHO as the ECG showed a 'change' that shouldn't be there. Had the ECHO and it didn't show anything strange.

I'm being referred for a cardiac MRI (as a precautionary measure - there is a good chance there is nothing wrong) to determine the cause for the abnormal ECG. A possible cause is a cardiomyopathy which, as far as I understand, is one of the causes of heart attacks during marathons.

I asked him about running DCM and while he couldn't advise either way. He said the change in the ECG could be as a result of the training, although it's rare in my demographic -I think it was white females under 35 and it's more common in men. If it was due to training then that was fine but if it turned out to be an underlying condition then running the marathon was a risk. He's advised me to detrain for 6 weeks and to retake an ECG for a baseline reading. This and the MRI should rule out most major possible issues.

I know I should pull out of the marathon, it's a risk I don't want to take. I'm just kind of in shock and not really sure how I should feel and was wondering if anyone had any advice/similar experiences?

Dilbert75

Bummer. Even if it turns out to be nothing, and it could well be, it's better be safe than sorry. There'll be another year for DCM.

drquirky

I would listen to your Dr.

Clearlier

emurm wrote: »

My gym were running a heart screening today and since I run a good bit and am running DCM I signed up. Had the ECG and met with the cardiologist who wanted me to have an ECHO as the ECG showed a 'change' that shouldn't be there. Had the ECHO and it didn't show anything strange.

I'm being referred for a cardiac MRI (as a precautionary measure - there is a good chance there is nothing wrong) to determine the cause for the abnormal ECG. A possible cause is a cardiomyopathy which, as far as I understand, is one of the causes of heart attacks during marathons.

I asked him about running DCM and while he couldn't advise either way. He said the change in the ECG could be as a result of the training, although it's rare in my demographic -I think it was white females under 35 and it's more common in men. If it was due to training then that was fine but if it turned out to be an underlying condition then running the marathon was a risk. He's advised me to detrain for 6 weeks and to retake an ECG for a baseline reading. This and the MRI should rule out most major possible issues.

I know I should pull out of the marathon, it's a risk I don't want to take. I'm just kind of in shock and not really sure how I should feel and was wondering if anyone had any advice/similar experiences?

Someone I know a little who trains fairly seriously passed out a couple of months ago. An ECG showed up a concern so he was told to stop training for about 6 weeks. Redid the test (or some other test) and everything is fine and has just started back training. Hope you have the same experience.

thewolf_ie

I got the ECG in doctors and it gave an abnormal read. I was refered for echo Cardiogram and 24 heart trace. The echo Cardiogram was A1 and the consultant said the ECG can sometimes give abnormal readings due to fitness or being thin. If I get the results from heart trace tomorrow will let you know. I'm running DCM.

kit3

There will be plenty of more marathons - you only get one
life. Don't mess around with it. Hopefully it will turn out to be nothing of maybe you have been really lucky to get a warning. Best of luck.

drquirky

Again. Don't listen to random internet poster in regards to yor health. Talk to your Dr. And follow their advise.

ecoli

drquirky wrote: »

Again. Don't listen to random internet poster in regards to yor health. Talk to your Dr. And follow their advise.

The irony of this given the username:D

emurm wrote: »

I know I should pull out of the marathon, it's a risk I don't want to take.

You have answered your own question. There might be a 1 in a 100 (or even 1000) chance but still a chance. I know it is a big event but you can find a marathon every week of the year if you really want so there will be other chances. Best to get the all clear and look ahead.

emurm

Thanks for the replies.

Am definitely not running the marathon but it is hard to get used to the idea as I've been focused on it for so many months now. Today was hard as it is my long run day. I guess I just have to sit it out and detrain while waiting for the MRI appointment to come through. As kit3 said there will be plenty of marathons.

For now I'm not focusing on the possibility of anything being wrong, hopefully it's something easily explainable. The thing that worries me is the consultant said that it was rare to see the abnormal reading being due to training in females under 35. Which is me. And I'm not particularly fit or thin (was doing 20-25 miles a week and maxing out at 35 a few weeks ago and am a normal weight for my height).

thewolf_ie wrote: »

I got the ECG in doctors and it gave an abnormal read. I was refered for echo Cardiogram and 24 heart trace. The echo Cardiogram was A1 and the consultant said the ECG can sometimes give abnormal readings due to fitness or being thin. If I get the results from heart trace tomorrow will let you know. I'm running DCM.

Good luck wolf, I hope the heart trace comes back ok. Would be interested in what your consultant recommends.

baza1976

It amazes me that people think nothing of spending €100 plus on runners but won't get the basic ECG at their GP.

I had about 30 years of rugby and soccer under my belt and 5 marathons completed back in 2010 when I had an ECG at my GP when an abnormality was picked up. I was found to have WPW a cause of SADS. Turns out I was born with this. I had a procedure to sort this out. I hope to complete marathon No. 9 next week.

Moral of my rant. Just because you can run for ever and knock out marathon after marathon you can still have an underlying issue. Get checked out because them fancy runners won't be any good to the people you leave behind!

kingQuez

I'd follow the advice of the doctor (obviously), but don't get too concerned about it. I got packed off for an echocardiogram when my GP heard a murmer a week before a half ironman distance triathlon, and it had me quite concerned. Turned out to be nothing, but had my head wrecked till I got the results all the same.

thewolf_ie

emurm wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Am definitely not running the marathon but it is hard to get used to the idea as I've been focused on it for so many months now. Today was hard as it is my long run day. I guess I just have to sit it out and detrain while waiting for the MRI appointment to come through. As kit3 said there will be plenty of marathons.

For now I'm not focusing on the possibility of anything being wrong, hopefully it's something easily explainable. The thing that worries me is the consultant said that it was rare to see the abnormal reading being due to training in females under 35. Which is me. And I'm not particularly fit or thin (was doing 20-25 miles a week and maxing out at 35 a few weeks ago and am a normal weight for my height).



Good luck wolf, I hope the heart trace comes back ok. Would be interested in what your consultant recommends.

My heart trace results are fine. Hope you get good outcome.

emurm

thewolf_ie wrote: »

My heart trace results are fine. Hope you get good outcome.

Nice one. Am hoping for the same outcome then it'll just be the timing that sucked

thewolf_ie

emurm wrote: »

Nice one. Am hoping for the same outcome then it'll just be the timing that sucked

There will be plenty more when you get cleared!

clear thinking

Find a good sports doctor you can give you something a bit more definitive on what you can and can't do after your MRI.

GP's will tend to say put your feet up and stop everything - possibly good advice, but if you enjoy running find an expert in sports medicine so you you are following the best possible advice.